Machine for grinding plate-glass.



No. 637,306. Patented Nov. 2!, I899. m. R. WELTY.

MACHINE FOB GRINDING PLATE GLASS.

(Application filed Feb. 18, 1899.,- No Modem 3 SheetsSheet I.

ii; I

3m: nonms versus an. moro-u'ma. wAsnmGmN, n. c.

Patented Nov. 2|, I899. M. R. WELTY.

MACHINE FOB GRINDING PLATE GLASS.

(Application filed Feb. X8, 1899.) No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 24.

7 No. 637,306. Patented Nov. 2|, I899.

. M. R. WELTY.

MACHINE FOR GRINDING PLATE GLASS.

(Application filed Feb. 18, 1899.)

3 Sheets8heet 3,

4N0 Model.)

u c: I 415' ullll 7 {1. ll| i imfil; D D ,z: 1 u 6 cl D m u a u 28 u 7 6 E! u a u u J o D 1 u D DUI 70 D Y 6 7 76 A D I 0 ewl|6 |ll a n a T 2 u a i w: NORRIS pzrzns so, mum-union wAsnlum-om a a UNITED ST T S ATENT FFI MACHINE FOR cm Nome PLATE-GLASS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 637,306, dated November 21, 1899. Application filed February 18,1899. $erial No. 706,007. (No model.)

tion of the invention, such as will enable oth-- ers skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The purpose of the present invention is to devise a machine for grinding and polishing both sides of plate-glass at one operation and which will involve a simple construction and compact arrangement and enable the operation to be quickly and safely performed, the

grinding-wheels being independently oper-' ated and adjustable, so as to be set up as the grinding progresses.

The improvementconsists of the novel features of construction and combination of parts,which hereinafter will be more fully described, illustrated, and finally set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a machine constructed in accordance with and embodying the vital features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a front View, partly in section. of Fig. 2. Fig. l is a top plan view of the sand-box at the outer end of a hollow shaft, showing the parts intimately associated therewith. Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective of the stand for supporting the horizontal roller and outer end of lower plate. Fig. 6 is a side View of center rubber. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a rubber.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The machine in its organization embodies duplicate mechanisms disposed for simultaneous operation upon opposite sides of a plateglass. These mechanisms are preferably operated in reverse directions,whereby the force of the one imparted tothe glass plate is counterbalanced by the force of theother, thereby obviating the necessity for the provision of Fig. 3 is a section on the line X X means for holding the glass plate in position between the grinding-wheels against their combined action. These mechanisms are mounted upon a common bed or foundation 1, and the latter is provided with a series of brackets2, provided at their upper ends with bearingsin which are journaled hollow shafts .3. Band-pulleys 4 are secured to the hollow shafts intermediate of the brackets 2 and support one end of the driving-belt, (not shown,) by means of which motion is imparted to the .mechanisms from a suitable source of power. The hollow shafts have a combined sliding and rotary movement in their bearings, the sliding or longitudinal movement enabling the grinding-wheels to be advanced as the grinding progresses.

The grinding-wheels 5, secured to the inner or contiguous ends of the hollow shafts 3, are of such diametrical extent as to operate upon all portions of a plate-glass placed in position. for treatment. prises a hub, concentric rings, and spokes or radial arms. Abrading devices are detachably applied to the inner faces of the grinding-wheels and may consist of metallic blocks or buffers, according as to whether the glass plate is to be ground or polished. The abrading devices 6 are oblong and radially disposed and are secured to the grinding-wheels by bolts or like fastenings passing through openings formed in the ears 7 integral with the parts 6. The sides of the rubbers are beveled so as to direct the sand and water between the glass and the outer faces of the rubbers.

The plate-holder is located in the space formed between the grinding-wheels and supports the plate-glass 8 when in position to be operated upon. This holder consists of a longitudinal bar 9, upright bars 10, and an upper plate or bar 11, the latter being detachably connected with the upper ends of the bars 10 and the outer vertical bar 10 being detachably connected with the bar 9, so as to admit of the plate-glass 8 being easily placed in position for operation or removed from-the machine when finished. Adjacent to and in advance of the removable upright bar 10 is located a stand 12, supporting a roller 13 in Each grinding-wheel coma horizontal position, said roller being of wood and clothed with rubber or leather, so as to obviate injurious contact of the plate-glass therewith when placing the plate 8 in position or removing it from the machine. The upper surface of the roller 13 is about in the plane of the top edge of the bar 9, and this roller constitutes a rotary support for the plate-glass when sliding over the bar 9 into or out of position. Supplemental brackets 14 are attached to the outer brackets or supports 2 and are provided at their free ends with set-screws 15, by means of which the hollow shafts have a longitudinal movement imparted thereto. Boxes 16 are applied to the outer ends of the hollow shafts and have swivel connection at their inner ends therewith and are open at their top sides to receive sand or like abrasive material from hoppers 17, located thereover. The set-screws 15 have a swivel or like positive connection at their inner ends with the outer ends of the boxes, so as to move the latter and the hollow shafts connected therewith in and out,'according to the desired relation of the grinding-wheels, whereby the space between said grindingwheels may be varied according to circumstances. A screw conveyer 18 is located in each of the hollow shafts and extends the entire length thereof and is designed to feed the sand or abrasive material from the sandbox 16 to the inner end of the hollow shaft,

from whence it escapes to the plate-glass to facilitate the grinding or polishing action of the machine. This conveyer 18 extends beyond the outer end of the hollow shaft and enters the sand-box, so as to feed the abrasive material therefrom into and through the hollow shaft to the center of the grindingwheel.

A hopper or trough 19 is located above the space formed between the grinding-wheels and is of a length corresponding to the eX- tent of the plate-glass, and the bottom of this hopper is perforated at intervals in its length to provide escapes for the sand at such points, so as to insure the delivery of the sand upon both sides of the plate-glass throughout its length. A water tank or reservoir 20 is located to one side of the machine, and a drip-pipe 21 extends therefrom to the hopper or trough 19, so as to supply water thereto,which is essential to the operation of the machine. When it is required to grind the opposite sides of plateglass, the grinding-wheels are separated a sufficient distance to receive between them said plate, the latter being placed in position by rolling upon the rotary support 13 over the lower bar 9. After the glass plate is in position it is secured by placing the removable upright bar 10 and the upper plate 11 in position. The upper end portions of the brace 10 are threaded and pass through sleeves at the ends of the plate 11 and receive tension-nuts upon their threaded extremitiesmhereby said plate 11 may be caused to bear upon the plate-glass 8 with a greater or less pressure and secure it in position. The grinding-wheels being set in motion by power applied to the bandpulleys 4 in the manner set forth are set up against the opposite sides of the plate-glass by operating the set-screws 15. Water and sand are fed to the abrading devices from above by means of the hopper 19 and the tank 20, and sand or like material is supplied to the center of the grinding-wheels by means of the conveyers 18. As the grinding progresses the set-screws 15 are operated to bring the grinding-wheels into closer relation. After the plate-glass has been ground sufliciently buffers or polishing devices are substituted for the grinding devices and the machine operated in the manner set forth until the sides of the plate-glass receive the required degree of polish.

The grinding and the polishing devices are similarly formed, the grinders being of metal and the polishers of some soft material. These rubbers are radially disposed and are backed by the spokes or arms of the wheels. The center rubber 22 is cut away upon its rear side to provide clearance for the escape of the sand and water from the inner ends of the hollow shafts.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A vertically-disposed grinding-wheel, a hollow shaft therefor, and means for adjusting the shaft longitudinally, of a conveyer located in the hollow shaft for feeding an abrading material therethrough to the center of the grinding-wheel, substantially as described.

2. A grinding-wheel vertically arranged, a hollow shaft therefor, and a box in communication with the hollow shaft and connected thereto, in combination with a conveyer passing through the hollow shaft and operating in the box for feeding the abrading material therefrom through the shaft to the center of the grinding-wheel, and means applied to the box for moving it, the shaft and the conveyer longitudinally, substantially as specified.

3. The combination with a pair of vertically-disposed grinding-wheels spaced apart, means for independently rotating the grinding-wheels, and independent adjusting means for separating or bringing the grinding-wheels into closer relation, of a feeder for supplying an abrading material between the outer portions of the grinding-wheels, and independent means for feeding an abrading material to the centers of said wheels, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination with a pair of grinding-wheels spaced apart and vertically arranged, and independent actuating mechanism therefor, of a holder located in the space formed between the grindin -wheels and comprising adjustable and detachable bars for confining between them the plate-glass to be operated upon, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a pair of vertithe grinding-wheels, substantially as decally-arranged grinding-wheels spaced apart, scribed. 10 and actuatingmechanism therefor,ofa holder In testimony whereof I affix my signature located in the space formed between the in presence of two Witnesses.

5 grinding-wheels, and a horizontally-disposed MASON R. WELTY. [L. s]

roller at one end of the lower bar of the holder Witnesses: forming a rotary support for the plate-glass HARRY H. FISHER,

when slipping it between or removing it from GEO. S. RUMBAUGH. 

